Eureka! has announced its June 2023 home entertainment line-up, which features Cynthia Rothrock as a butt-kicking FBI agent, a tragic Japanese samurai classic from the screenwriter of Harakiri, and a story of ninjas, magic swordsman, evil assassins, and forbidden love, from the director of Battle Royale.
LADY REPORTER [SHI JIE DA SHAI] (USA/Hong Kong 1989) | Blu-ray | 26 June 2023 | £20.99
Cynthia Rothrock's first leading role was also the first (and to this day, only) time a Western actress had lead billing in a Hong Kong film.
Rothrock plays Cindy, the titular female reporter sent to investigate an unscrupulous newspaper editor (Ronny Yu). Teaming up with Elizabeth Lee (Long Arm of the Law Part 3), the two go up against a series of opponents played by some of the greatest "bad guy" actors in 80s cinema, including Billy Chow (Fist of Legend), Jeff Falcon (Outlaw Brothers, Six String Samurai), and Vincent Lyn (Tiger Cage).
Mang Hoi handles directing duties here, but much like Yes, Madam!, this was a collaborative effort between Mang Hoi and Corey Yuen, and just like that film the results are magnificent – Mang Hoi's graceful and acrobatic choreography fusing perfectly with Corey Yuen's hard-hitting style. But the star here is Cynthia Rothrock, and this deservedly secured her position as one of the top action stars of her era, and Eureka Classics presents Lady Reporter in its UK debut on Blu-ray from a brand new 2K restoration.
BLU-RAY FEATURES:
- Limited Edition O-Card slipcase featuring new artwork by Darren Wheeling [2000 copies]
- 1080p HD presentation on Blu-ray of the original theatrical cut from a brand new 2K restoration
- 1080p HD presentation on Blu-ray of the international export cut from a brand new 2K restoration
- Original Cantonese mono audio and optional "classic" English dubbed audio
- Optional English Subtitles, newly translated for this release
- Brand new feature length audio commentary by Asian film expert Frank Djeng (NY Asian Film Festival) & actor and martial artist Vincent Lyn
- Brand new feature length audio commentary by action cinema experts Mike Leeder & Arne Venema
- Brand new select-scene commentary with actress and martial-arts movie icon Cynthia Rothrock
- Brand new interview with Cynthia Rothrock
- Brand new interview with Mang Hoi
- Trailers
- Reversible sleeve design
- A Limited Edition collector's booklet featuring new writing by James Oliver [2000 copies]
All extras subject to change
REVENGE [ADAUCHI] (Japan 1964) | Limited Edition Blu-ray | 19 June 2023 | £18.99
A cruel jidaigeki masterwork from director Tadashi Imai (Cruel Tale of Bushido) and screenwriter Shinobu Hashimoto, the writer of Masaki Kobayashi's great masterpiece Harakiri, Revenge is a lacerating attack on the absurdity and hypocrisy of feudal Japan.
An innocuous comment during a weapon inspection wounds the pride of low-ranking samurai Shinpachi (Kinnosuke Nakamura), leading to an argument with his superior. The situation snowballs out of control, leading to a deadly duel and political fallout which threatens the entire clan.
Available for the first time in the UK, the Masters of Cinema series presents Tadashi Imai's Revenge in its worldwide debut on Blu-ray from a new 2K restoration.
LIMITED EDITION BLU-RAY FEATURES:
- Limited Edition slipcase featuring artwork by Tony Stella [2000 copies]
- 1080p presentation on Blu-ray from a 2K restoration of the original film elements
- Uncompressed original Japanese mono audio
- Newly translated English subtitles (optional)
- Brand new interview with Tony Rayns
- Brand new video piece by Jasper Sharp
- A collectors booklet featuring new writing on the film
SAMURAI REINCARNATION [MAKAI TENSHŌ] (Japan 1984) | Blu-ray | 19 June 2023 | £18.99
In the aftermath of a failed rebellion, Amakusa Shiro (Kenji Sawada) is crucified, but returns as a vengeance-filled demon with the power to resurrect the dead. Shiro uses his power to assemble a team of undead warriors—including legendary swordsman Miyamoto Musashi (Ken Ogata)—and the only one who can stop them is the wandering samurai, Yagyu Jubei (Sonny Chiba).
A spectacular chanbara fantasy epic from Kinji Fukasaku (Battle Royale), Samurai Reincarnation makes its UK debut from a stunning 2K restoration as part of the Masters of Cinema series.
BLU-RAY FEATURES:
- Limited Edition slipcase featuring artwork by Takato Yamamato [2000 copies]
- 1080p presentation on Blu-ray from a 2K restoration of the original film elements
- Uncompressed original Japanese mono audio
- Alternate English dubbed audio
- Optional English subtitles
- Brand new audio commentary by Tom Mes
- Brand new interview with filmmaker Kenta Fukasaku
- Original Japanese trailer
- A collectors booklet featuring new writing on the film
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